Goldsand Beach~Harvest Festival

"Thank you, High One", Snaketwist said respectfully. Back on his legs, he took a moment to check his appearance. A large amount of his pearls were gone, lost in the fight or the swim after it. He gathered up the broken strands and tied new knots so that more of his treasures would not be lost.

Seeing Tidemist approach him, he blushed. "They were just pearls", he said, in his mind the thought that her noticing him like this was worth any loss of mere possessions. "Besides, once the festival is done, I'm planning to go back to where we fought the daggertooth and see how many pearls I will find on the seabed there. I think I'll get back quite a few that way." He smiled, nervously looking her in the eyes.

The chieftess' attention was claimed by something else. Snaketwist had no idea what was happening with Kaimeta and Tern. He was more concerned with their kill, still in the shallow water.

To his relief, some of their tribemates, Stingsand and Yellowfin at the lead, came to aid him. Together they lifted up the dead daggertooth and carried it to dry land.

Kai looked back and Tide. *Yes?* She lock sent back. Her sending as flat as her voice.

She smiled at the gathered group. "Don't we have dancing to do still?" She said trying to take the moment from what she knew others much have seen. She would ignore it. Maybe with luck it would just go away like a bad cold. "We also should get that dagger teeth in the pit before it attracts birds!" She said.

She laid a hand on Tidemist's. * I am fine* She lock sent. "Let's enjoy our evening!" She said and started towards the festival area.

Her only thought begin this was not happening. Over and over like mantra to protect her already broken heart.

Tern's scales itched at her touch. Of course there was the odd tingling sensation of his flesh being shaped, but that wasn't it. The shaping sensation was nothing compared to this. Her hands only served to deepen the primal urge already stewing inside him. Desire was something Tern knew well, but this was completely different. It was a need.

He stood up as soon as he could, facing Kaimeta. A smile, as innocent as any smile he ever made as a pip, decorated his face. However, this smile soon faded and disappeared altogether.

The High One's flat tone cut, and her dismissive behaviour of what had just happened was like salt. Tern stood there, bewildered, as she spoke to everyone but him it seemed. It wasn't until she began walking away that he snapped out of it, catching her wrist before she could escape.

Ridge sat beside Swirling, his hand still on her shoulder. He shifted to place his arm around her back and watched as the sea-elf began to stir. He turned his attention though to Tern and his return.

His greeting died on his lips, though, at hearing the High One's flat tone. Something in him stirred that he should go to the cubs and check on them. He didn't know why, but he felt like he was intruding on something extremely private.

Ridge also flinched when he saw Tern catch Kaimeta's wrist. He felt unease almost at the level of fear.

**Swirling, I think we should go,** he lock-sent, his unease interlaced with his sending.

--

Serpent Fang fought to complete wakefulness. He felt weak, but alive. When he opened his eyes we was greeted with a strange scene indeed. Swirling and a wolf-elf were crouched beside him, but it Tern and Kaimeta that really drew his attention.

Serpent Fang rolled over and climbed to his feet. He staggered, weak, but that was nothing. He knew exactly what he was seeing. He had lived long enough to know it when he saw it. The fact that it was Tern and the High One came as a shock to him. He kept his snide remarks to himself and took a few paces away, choosing not to stay and watch.

Kai stopped as Tern caught her wrist. Bold move. *Let go.* her lock-sending bitting and sharp. She was in no mood to deal with this. She was tried from using her abilities and she wanted nothing more to retreat to her hut, but she had duties to tend to here.

But she didn't shake the sea elf off. She could have easily enough. Despite the fact she didn't want this she didn't need this, she felt some warmth and comfort in his touch.

*Let go* She lock-sent again, just a biting and sharp. She needed time to come to terms with this, to figure out what she would do.

Swirling had been focusing on Serpent Fang so she had missed the moment between Tern and Kaimeta. She felt his hand slip away from under her hand when he rolled away.

Suddenly a little embarrassed she put her right hand in her lap. She saw how Serpent Fang looked at Tern and Kaimeta, before he took a few steps away.

Swirling was surprised by the flat tone in Kaimeta's voice. She turned to look at Kaimeta the same moment Ridge locksent at her.

She was startled by his emotions and locksent back: **Euh what?** Then she saw how Tern took hold of Kaimeta's hand and she felt the tension between the two of them. She continued her locksending to Ridge ** Oh! You're right, **

Still holding his hand she let him help her to her feet. **maybe now is a good time to check on the cubs?** She was not sure what just happened but she felt the need to give Tern and Kaimeta some privacy.

**We'd better,** Ridge lock-sent. He remembered his conversation from earlier the same day with Tern. He recalled Tern telling him he wasn't sure how he wanted recognition to happen, but it looked like it was right then.

Ridge followed suit and stood up. Saying he was scared would have been wrong. He was uneasy and wanted to put distance between himself and the events that were unfolding. Besides, he needed to check on the cubs.

**Let's go,** Ridge lock-sent. He was relieved that everyone was okay, but he still felt the need to check on the cubs. He held Swirling's hand.

--

Serpent Fang kept his distance from Kaimeta and Tern. He narrowed his eyes as the High One tried to shake off Tern. His muscles grew tense. He knew better than to intervene, but it was hard to fight down his desire to step between the High One and Tern.

Serpent Fang turned away sharply, staggering through the waves. He lock-sent even more cuttingly than usual to Kaimeta, **Don't fight it, High One, you'll just end up hurting both of you.**

Kai felt the bite in Serpent Fang's sending to her. Taking a deep breath she attempted to calm herself. She knew that everyone around them had seen what happened and knew what was going on, but she didn't care what one of them thought. It wasn't any of their business what she did. This was between her and Tern and she didn't care for unsolicited advice from a pip.

Trying to keep her cool and not respond with the same bitting force that she had been sent with she lock sent back to the other sea elf. *If I want your thoughts on the matter I shall ask for them, so till such a time keep your advice to yourself, child.* The sending was probably harsher than she meant. She wasn't ready for this, and that it was Tern. Oh the last thing she wanted to do was break his heart and destroy his faith in recognition, this wasn't fair to either of them. The elder that didn't want this and the young one that could only dream if it. She sighed, this was not what she was hoping for when she woke this morning.

Silence smiled at Brooksong who looked good and refreshed. Maybe he should change his shirt by one that was not torn by a tusk pig. He listened to Straystar and watched him leave. Silence thought somebody else gave already some instructions,  he watched how some elves were starting campfires and some of the seafolk started to unwrap the food, hindered by a moody preserver, who complained that they were destroying his beautiful work.

He would first go and see what animal the seafolk brought back and then he would follow Brooksong's good example and take a refreshing swim.

He arrived just after Straystar called for the dancing to begin. Silence winced, he was not a good danser, he quickly went over to the elves who were bringing the shark to shore. Silence was impressed, wauw that was huge, enormous. He looked around and he saw Snaketwist, he looked alright but the lost pearls, told another story.

He walked up to him and greeted Snaketwist, he sent openly** That's quite a big fish you caught, are you alright?** His sending was a mixture of awe and worry.
________

Swirling was happy as she followed Ridge, she liked it very much that he was still holding her hand. She locksent **How unexpected, Tern and Kaimeta, .... **

She squeezed softly his hand and continued her locked sending. ** Thanks for staying with me,....I needed that ** A little blush came over her cheeks, after a little pause she locksent hesitantly **The dancing will start soon, after checking on the cubs would you like to dance with me?**

She knew that traditionally he should ask that question, but she liked his company and she wanted it  to last a little bit longer. Swirling felt a little uneasy, luckily they had arrived. She looked at the cubs, afraid that she was too forward, she changed the subject and she sent openly,** They look adorable, where are those 2 adventure seekers, can you show them to me? **

**Kaimeta,** he lock-sent back, not letting go. The sending was confused and little hurt. Why would she be acting like this? He wasn't so innocent that he thought elves always stayed together after recognition, but he couldn't understand why she was refusing it so much? It would be easier to just get it over with than to deal with the consequences of waiting. Of course, that's not what he would do.

At her second sending, Tern's hand sagged back to his side. A part of him hurt at her bitterness, but he wouldn't let it show. "I guess you should go dance," he spoke in a neutral, removed tone. He knew that if he sent, it would reveal more than he wanted. "The High One shouldn't miss such an affair." His next words were again in lock-sending, containing more feeling than his spoken ones. **I only regret a dance couldn't be shared with myself.**

Kai's hand feel to her side. He'd let go. She started away. She didnt want to hurt him but she knew she would and for that she hated herself. She was a healer she was suppose to do away with pain not create it. *I am so sorry* She lock sent softly to Tern. The emotion behind it was mixed, sorrow was there but her own hurt mingled in. The hurt she kept so well from so many.

The High One walked away towards the festival, the lights from the fire dancing among the others. She suddenly felt lost, like she did when she first arrived here. Kai had been midwife to so many of the gathered, it was strange to have recognized one of them. She knew it was a risk it could have happen, but she had hoped it wouldn't.

She made her way to where she had sat before. She would wait till she could find a place to slip of. All she wanted now was her hut and sleep. Maybe there she would wake to find it all just a dream.

Tern watched Kaimeta go, lamely standing at the water's edge. His eyes were distant, but not for long. Straystar called him back to his surroundings, and he shook his head. Now, his eyes were full of determination. He and Kaimeta had to be together, there was no other argument, and he was going to remind her.

"Sure," he said, taking his gaze away from the High One, "Where is it?" he asked, looking around.

Tern watched as the much shorter elf picked up the two bundles as if they were nothing. As he picked up the third, he chuckled at how odd it might seem to an outsider that the smaller of the two was taking the heaviest load. Despite their size, though, the WolfFolk were a rugged and fierce sort, much different from the willowy and elegant SeaFolk.

He smiled softly at his friend's sending , **Thank you, Straystar,** he sent back, **It is comforting to know that I have someone. How hard can recognition be, though? She will have to give in eventually. The only thing I don't get is why she isn't giving in right away.**

Kai sat alone. They were all avoiding her she knew it. Most of the elders knew her past, she'd either gotten drunk and spilled or they asked her. She never tried to hide it, but she wasn't open about it either. She knew that sooner or later, they would start getting sick and that wasn't something she could stand. The healer in her wouldn't allow for that. But could she open herself to the possibility of loosing them? Tern and their child? She knew that he would still hunt he would be part of his tribe, she would never want to take that from him. But she would worry so, with him out in the water, they beat a Daggerteeth today but what about tomorrow? Or the next day? Would they get lucky each time?

And what of their child? Would it grow up in the sea elf tribe with Tern or removed, yet part of both like her? Would the child want to hunt? Again a shiver ran down her spin. She couldn't think of her child hunting that ocean. The thought just made her sick.

She called for a drink some of the juice she said she wouldn't par take of tonight. She drank a whole jug alone and only took the worst of the edge off. The High One's mind raced.

But when her eyes lighted on Tern her heart skipped. 'Damn.' She thought. He was in her mind and her heart and she knew he would be for a while. He would start to become a craving if she didn't give in. She would need to be near and with him. "Maybe I should leave." She muttered. Maybe vast distance would break this link they now shared. Something told her that it wouldn't help only make things worse. With a sigh she finished her drink as watched the couples dancing. This festival held all kinds of surprises didn't it.

Ridge squeezed Swirling's hand and smiled at her. His emotions were mixed when he lock-sent her, **The two of them were very unexpected, but that's the way most recognitions are, aren't they?**


**There's no need to thank me, but you're welcome. I'm glad I stayed with you,** he continued lock-sending, his emotions warm and supportive. Ridge blushed fiercely at Swirling question for a dance and with a stab of remorse remembered Tern teaching him how to dance that same morning. That morning felt like it was years and years ago, though, and he pushed away the tinge of regret and grief.

He smiled at Swirling, still blushing and lock-sent, **I would love to dance with you!**

He ducked his head, blushing even more deeply at his eagerness. He was relieved when they reached where the cubs and pips were. Most of them were still sleeping off the heat of the day and their games with Kaimeta that they'd plaid that morning.

Ridge led Swirling over to two particularly small ones, curled in a heap fast asleep. He knelt down beside them, smiling more to himself than anything. He looked up at Swirling and lock-sent to her again, **Here they are.**

--

Serpent Fang drew himself up, watching the milling tribesmen. He watched as they went to guard the food and lovely Brooksong began singing, but his attention was drawn to Tern and Kaimeta. He hated Tern. If he were honest with himself (and that was so hard to do) it wasn't that he hated the younger elf, it was jealousy. He had a duty to his tribe and to Tern in specific.

He turned away, his gaze finding the High One. He approached her, seeing as no one else was. He didn't ask if he could join her, it wasn't his way. He sat down beside her, looking out at the ocean. There was a lot he had to say, both as an elder of the tribe, but also as protector.

**High One,** he lock-sent, his sending not biting for once, but still steadfast and forceful. **Don't refuse. You know what will happen.** He said no more, but, unbidden, the emotions came with his words. And with the emotions came the single image of his mother, Seabird, that his father had ever sent to him. Recognition may as well have killed his mother. **No one wants to lose you like she was lost.**

Serpent Fang didn't look at Kaimeta as he lock-sent, instead looking at the scars running up and down his arm. **Thank you for saving my life.**

In reply to Brooksong's comment about the big catch that seemed to be getting hauled from the ocean, Stormcloud said: "I hope it's something tasty!"

She started walking towards the waterline, curious for a better view of the kill. Her eyes being on that - and widening when she saw what it was - she missed the interaction between Kaimeta and Tern. But she could not miss the High One's words. She was about to remind Kaimeta of her promise of a dance, but thought better of it when she saw something going on between Kaimeta and Tern. She had no clue what it was, but it seemed important and serious.

She went to get another bite to eat, and having done so, once again spotted Kaimeta sitting alone, not looking happy at all. She would have left her alone, but happened to heard her mutter about leaving. "That won't do, my friend, not until I have had the dance I was promised!" She told her, a part of her mind wondering if this was too direct talk for one like her. Stormcloud's grandmother, who had almost worshipped the High One, would certainly not have approved.
--

Snaketwist grinned at Silence's words. "It was quite a fight. Serpent Fang and Tern were rather heroic. Serpent Fang was badly injured, but thanks to the High One, he is fine now." He looked the kill all over. "Have you ever eaten fried daggertooth before? It's a strong flavor, but not an unpleasant one."

Brooksong's voice made him smile. Song and dance - it was starting to be quite a good festival day, despite the interruptions. Now... if only he dared to go and ask Tidemist for a dance...

Kai didn't move to look at Serpent Fang. His sending was softer than normal. In a way she understood what he was trying to do but at the same time his words only cut her deeper. She knew what would happen and she knew what had happened to his mother. She understood why he was sending what he was sending but there was so much more to this than just giving in. She was so damaged, it wasn't fair to Tern.

** Serpent** She began her lock sending in return. Her emotions mixed and not well hidden. ** I understand what you're trying to do, and I appreciate it, but there is so much more that you don't know about me.** She sighed outwardly. **I am broken. So broken I spend my time at the bottom of a drink cup or in a Dreamberry bush. I alter my mind so I don't have to remember.** then unable to stop the flow of emotions and memories, all her hurt was there for him to see and feel. The loss of her first life mate and their child. The loss of all her mates and children. The hurt she hid under a smile and inebriation. She didn't want to share with the younger elf. She just couldn't stop it. **If I give in can you or any one else promise to me that I wont lose them too?** she send tears in her sending and in her eyes. ** I couldn't go on if I lost..** she didnt finish her sending her emotions over whelmed her mind. **I am broken** was all she could send.
"I think of everyone in the tribes as my family." She said standing. She placed a hand on his should.r "I sou have died for you to live, you are a precious to me as if you were my own." She smiled a real smile then. "No need to thank me for saving you, but do try to take it easy, you lost at lot of blood." She patted his shoulder. "And try not to do anything so reckless again." She smiled again at Serpent Fang. "Now if you'll excuse me I owe a young lady a dance." She said walking off towards the fire.

The thing that others seemed to miss was she hadn't said no, just not now.

She looked up her eyes dry as Stormcloud reminder her of her promise to dance with her. "Right!" She said forcing a smile. "I did promise you." She said her eyes bright in the fire light. This was a festival she should trying to enjoy herself at least a little. She smiled and headed towards Stormcloud. Maybe the younger female was just what Kai needed to get out of this funk and maybe this was just what she needed. For now at least.

"Alright then Stromcloud let's dance!"

Silence thought, So that was why Kaimeta seemed tired earlier, no wonder, healing so many must have cost her a lot, he confirmed: "We are lucky to have a great healer amongst us, we owe her a lot."

He studied Snaketwist for a moment and continued: "I'm sure you played also an important role in capturing this Daggertooth, that's what you called it? I have heard the stories about these monsters but I have never seen one. It's huge!"

He continued staring at the beast that now elves were cutting professional in smaller pieces. He sent openly ** I want to make you a deal, when the food is prepared, I will try some of this Daggertooth if you'll try a piece of the tusk pig that we brought back, we can change stories about our hunt while we eat. It's seems we both stumbled on an adventure that we didn't expect. **

Silence finally managed to take his eyes of the enormous shark and looked at Snaketwist. He was glad his friend was ok. It must have been quite a fight, he was anxious to hear the story.

_______

Swirling's heart skipped a beat, He said yes, he said yes! , she thought. She found it funny that they now both had red cheeks, apparently they felt both a little uneasy. Swirling felt very young again, she let the warmth and gentleness of his sending envelope her.

She looked at the two cubs who were sound asleep and carefully she knelt down to their other side. Even her locked sending was a whisper, afraid of waking them. ** They look so peaceful, they are so small, it's hard to believe that they were able to walk so far away.** Her sending was warm and happy.
** Should we cover them with a blanket to protect them from the cold, now the sun has gone?**

There was a moment of melancholy in her sending when she thought about how it must feel to have kids of her own. But it was quickly gone as she remembered Ridge would dance with her.

Serpent Fang remained seated as Kaimeta rose. Before she left, he lock-sent, "High One, I cannot promise that you wouldn't lose either of them. However, I can promise that I would guard them with my life.** He didn't pity her, but he felt compassion as he had never felt before well up in him. He allowed this to flow to her through the sending.

He didn't look away from the sea as she walked away to join Stormcloud. However, he knew he couldn't contain it forever. Lock-sending to Kaimeta, his emotions twisted and confused, **Please don't hurt Tern, he's the only kin I have left. Today I feared that he would go the way of Spearshaft, his father...and mine.** The last part he added. He yearned to tell someone, someone who he knew wouldn't betray his secret.

Serpent Fang turned his face away, cutting off the sending. He had exposed himself more than he'd meant. His mind wandered down dark paths, dwelling on the High One's lost loved ones. Serpent Fang had no loved ones, but he had kin and his tribe. He would die for them without a second thought.

The fact that Kaimeta had told him that he was as precious to her as if her were her own made something deep inside him twist as though in agony. She thought that way about all the members of both tribes. He stared out at the sea, his mind full of thoughts.

--

**It's remarkable what little ones can get into,** Ridge told Swirling via lock-sending. He draped a spare blanket across them, counting all of the cubs and pips silently, making sure they were all accounted for.

Ridge looked worriedly at Swirling, catching her moment of sadness. He took her hands in both of his and lock-sent to her, **Are you alright?**